[Christmas music playing]
- Go. Yeah.
- [overlapping chatter]
- Simon, you want to put
the eyes on the snowman?
Here. Here. Get the nose, too.
- [laughs]
- ♪ Frosty the Snowman
♪ Was a jolly, happy soul...
- Oh, look at you.
You're tall enough...
- Yeah!
- to reach the snowman's nose.
- He's gonna get his
learner's permit any day now.
- Stop! Stop.
- He's getting older.
- [all gasp]
- [laughs]
- Charlie Chaplin's eyes
fell out of his head!
You know, that happened to
the real Chaplin all the time.
- Dave!
- It did not happen!
- Prove me wrong! I'm right.
- Eyes.
- Eyes in.
- Simon, Simon, come here.
- Got it, Dad!
- Hey, come here. Here.
All right, you hold it
really carefully. You got it?
All right,
I'm gonna get in. Ooh.
- ♪ For when they placed it...
- Hey, nice stuff.
Look at that, everyone.
- Hello. Hi.
- Merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas.
- ♪ Frosty the Snowman
was alive as he could be... ♪
- Ohh! Whoa, whoa, whoa!
- Come on.
- You really were
such a cute kid.
- I'm still cute. That's a fact.
- But now you really do
have your learner's permit.
- [laughs]
- [cell phone chimes]
- Oh, is that, uh, Aunt Meg?
- Oh, no. It's Joe.
He's at the restaurant.
Actually, we should
probably get going,
'cause we're meeting Meg
outside Umber and Sprig.
Ah, it's gonna be so great
to be back in Hazelwood, right?
You can do
that snowman contest again.
It's been years since we've
gone back early enough.
Oh, and they have
this tree-lighting ceremony
- in the park. It's...
- Yeah,
but there won't be
movies at the Madison.
- No. I'll miss that, too.
On the bright side,
you'll get to see
how many baked goods Pop and Nan
basically give away for free.
- Well, that is a terrible way
to run a business.
- Yes, but full
of Christmas spirit.
[diners murmuring]
- [door closes]
- Hey, guys.
- Hello, hello.
- Hey, guys.
- Ah, Simon.
Thought I heard you.
Come try the Christmas special.
- Oh, that looks good.
- Turkey, stuffing,
and cranberry sandwich.
- Hoo! That sounds delicious.
Just like Dad used to make.
- Jennifer!
- That's not bad.
- Hi, Frank!
- Your chef thought
she could fool me,
but I tasted the chervil
in the butternut soup today.
- Frank, you don't
miss anything, do you?
That's what we love about you.
Well, that and the fact that
you're here every single day.
It means the world to us.
- Well, feels like home.
Except nobody
cooks for me at home.
- You know what? Nobody cooks
for me at home either.
- Well, then it is a good thing
we have this place, isn't it?
- Yeah.
- Especially at the holidays.
- I've put my heart into it,
- that's for sure.
- Hey, hey!
They chose us for
the Christmas party competition.
- What?
- That's right. Yep.
DINER: They deserve it.
- "Known for its commitment
to community
and stellar connections
with its customers,
Umber and Sprig
is a new addition
- to this year's competition."
- Oh, my gosh.
- So it's a competition for...
- Who throws
the best Christmas party,
and three restaurants compete.
We have been hoping
to be chosen for a while now.
- Yeah, yeah.
- This is amazing.
- Okay, so what do you win?
- Well, the marketing benefit
alone is worth it,
but then we could win $25,000.
- For the food bank.
That's the charity
we'd sponsor if we won.
- Ohh. The food bank
is so amazing,
but, oh,
this year, of all years.
- Wait. Why are you suddenly
less thrilled about this?
- Because I am leaving.
I'm gonna be in Hazelwood
for two weeks.
Are you sure you don't need me?
I should cancel.
- Jennifer, go see your parents.
That's why you hired me, right?
So you could have time
to do other things.
- Yeah, but, I mean,
this is a big deal.
- Christmas Brass!
I've been waiting all year
- for these tubas.
- JENNIFER: Right?
- I still think you're
making this tuba thing up,
like a "prank the new guy."
- No, this is a thing
that happens all over the world,
and pretty soon,
this is gonna be
your favorite
Christmas tradition, too.
All right,
I gotta go find my sister.
I'm so excited. Oh, my gosh.
- [sighs]
[band playing]
- All right,
keep an eye out for Meg.
I don't know. She was supposed
to meet us a while ago.
[playing "Deck the Halls"]
Oh, yay.
- Whoo!
[overlapping chatter]
- Yeah.
- Hey, look.
- Right.
- Classic Aunt Meg.
- That's Meg.
[applause]
What is she doing?
- Okay, Dad sent these for you,
red velvet cupcakes.
- Ooh.
- Yay, yummy.
- And I got us...
some fun Christmas hats.
- [sputters] Wow.
These are something! Here.
- No. You two are enough.
- Rules of the season. Someone
gives you a fun Christmas hat,
- you put it on your head.
- You put it on.
- Did they rewrite the rules?
Because I swear,
last time I read it, there was
nothing in there about that.
- Oh, come on.
- Put it on.
- MEG: Oh, there's our guy.
- Cute.
- Oh, and you know what?
- What?
- I got stocking stuffers,
but they match the hats.
- Gimme, gimme, gimme.
Oh, I love it.
You look amazing.
- They bring out your eyes.
- They bring out your nose.
- So tell me about Mom.
I can't get a read on the phone.
- [sighs]
First Christmas without...
- Uncle Dave.
- Yeah, she's doing that thing.
- Where she says
she's fine and happy...
- But she's crying
while she's saying it.
- Yeah. Mm, I do that.
- You do.
- She does.
- Poor Mom.
- Yeah.
- I mean, if I lost you,
I can't even...
- I don't even want
to think about it.
So every day, she has
to walk by the theater,
and it's empty.
You know, there's no signs
that Uncle Dave made
on the marquee.
There's just
one big "for sale" sign.
- Wait. They decided?
- Yeah, they have to sell it.
- [sighs]
But Uncle Dave's theater is...
- I know, heart of the town.
Mom and Dad are really excited
to see you guys
for Christmas, though.
- Oh, it's gonna be so fun.
- Mm-hmm.
- You...[laughs]
- What is happening?
- Okay, don't look.
- Did you throw me a party?
- No. No.
So we're going for something new
with the decorations.
- I'm gonna fall over.
- You gotta tell me
your honest,
honest impressions, okay?
- Okay. I'm gonna be honest.
I promise.
Wh-What is this?
Oh, it's beautiful.
- Simple.
- Right!
- Spare.
- Um...
we weren't going for spare,
so much as, um, classy,
understated, modern.
- It's incredible.
- Right?
- This is what Dad
always talks about.
- Build a community...
- And the people will gather.
- Yeah. That's what
we've always done.
- Look at this.
- Oh, is that for me?
- [laughs]
It's Mom's Christmas present.
- [gasps]
- Come on.
- Oh.
- We have some work to do here.
- What? [gasps]
- Let's wrap them up.
- Simon, you might not remember,
but Uncle Dave used to put out
these figurines
for each of the 12 days
of Christmas.
- Except there are
two of them missing,
so the real presents
are the new additions.
We have some shopping to do.
- Salt Lake City.
- I know.
- It just feels good.
- It's so amazing.
Hey, why don't you stick around
for a few more days?
You know I'm offering you
the world's most unreliable
inflatable bed.
- [laughs] Flat by morning...
- Every time!
- [laughs]
- [sighs]
So you still going
to France this year?
- Yeah, without Uncle Dave.
- You two loved
traveling together.
- I'll probably love
traveling alone.
- Yeah.
- Just, ooh, it was so much fun
hanging out with all
of his Parisian friends.
- Yeah.
- And I loved, you know,
the fact that he didn't care
that he spoke terrible French.
- Yeah. [laughs]
- I just...I think I gotta go.
- Yeah.
- And I think I might even stay.
[car horn honks]
[overlapping chatter]
[Dave laughs] Piano's
made out of "Chopsticks."
- [playing piano]
- [laughs]
[child clapping]
Are Nan and Pop
really selling the theater?
That's always what we would do,
is movies at the Madison,
you know?
- I know. Yeah.
I'll miss it, too.
- I love the way Uncle Dave
used to make sound effects
with this stories,
like the little robot that...
[whirs]
- I miss calling him
to ask if he'd just seen
the latest movie I just watched.
- Mm-hmm.
He had great taste in movies.
- He did, didn't he?
You remember that first
Christmas without your dad?
How it helped so much
to be around family?
That's our job this year.
You know, help Pop and Nan have
the best Christmas they can.
Make it easier, you know?
Here.
You need whip cream.
- Okay, just give me
the whole can.
- Okay, take the whole thing.
- Come on. Come on.
- So...
- Yeah?
- got a big day
coming up tomorrow.
Do you think I could drive
partway to Hazelwood?
- Yes.
- I guess I need to let you
- drive at some point.
- Yes. Here. Take some of this.
- Fill it up. Oh.
- [door opens]
- Whoo-hoo!
- It's Meg.
So how'd it go?
Did you find everything?
- Almost.
I got a little distracted
by the carolers
and the window displays.
Part of me feels like
I should just stay here,
even though I'm going to Paris
right after Christmas.
- I don't know.
- I'm gonna say it again.
I think you need
to go through with the trip.
I mean, I love getting ready
for Christmas with family,
but I was just
so relieved to be here.
- Well, why don't
you stay longer?
- Really?
- Yeah!
Stay as long as you want.
- I mean, I can't miss
Christmas in Hazelwood,
but I would love it.
I might have to borrow
some clothes.
- [laughs] I love that you're
even pretending to ask.
You're wearing
one of my sweaters.
- Oh.
- What are you...
- That's better.
Goes with the sweater.
- Thanks.
- All right, so I will help
with the sale of the Madison
and help with Mom and Dad,
and you just stay
and take some space.
I'm glad you're here.
- Oh.
- I'm glad I'm here, too.
[both laugh]
- It's who you are now.
- Okay, so you're saying
that Dancer and Prancer
aren't as into reindeer games
as all the others?
- No. I was saying
that they probably
spend more time practicing.
- Oh, for all the dancing
and the prancing.
- Why would they
be named that otherwise?
- You make an excellent point.
- I still don't see why they
have to close the movie theater.
- Yeah. Well, I know.
Sometimes grownups have to make
decisions like that.
- Even though
you're fixing it up.
- Even then, kiddo.
Come on.
We still have one more errand.
- Ahh. It's so hard
to see it like this.
Must be extra hard for my mom.
- I guess let's go check inside.
- [sighs] Oh, gosh.
Look at it.
[sighs]
[camera clicks]
- [gasps] Jennifer Swift.
Look at you.
I heard you'd be home
longer than usual this year.
Are you moving back?
- Oh, no, no, no. We're just...
We're here for Christmas.
- Second home? Think it over.
- Okay. Um,
you remember my son Simon.
Barb Hutter's
the real-estate agent
handling the...
the sale of the theater.
- Yeah.
Bigger every time I see you.
You probably shave now,
don't you? [laughs]
[sighs]
- This place...
- Yeah.
- Nobody loved this theater
like your Uncle Dave.
I know it was a tough choice
for your parents to let it go,
but I tell you, I am determined
to find the right buyer.
- Well, if anyone can, Barb...
- No question, it's me.
And thank you. [laughs]
- Ohh.
- Yeah.
- Oh, I've gotta get
these photos up on our site.
Uh, do you need keys?
Here. I have extra sets
- if you'll lock up.
- Oh, that's great.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
- All right. See you around.
- Okay.
- [door closes]
- What?
- She's, uh, something.
Ohh. [sighs]
Look at this.
Oh, this piano.
- Didn't Uncle Dave know,
like, three songs on this?
- Yeah.
- [laughs]
- Hey, he used to play
"Sleigh Bells,"
and then Megan and I
would force the audiences
to watch our Christmas dances,
and they loved it.
- [door opens]
- Oh, we brought the house down.
[girl laughs]
- Jennifer Swift.
- Eric!
- Yeah. It's been a long time.
- Yeah, it's been, what, years?
- Yeah, think so.
- Uh, this is my son Simon.
- Hey.
- Nice to meet you.
- Yeah, you, too.
You know, your mom was my old
high school debate nemesis.
- You know, that's funny,
because she's
my current debate nemesis.
- Hey, I like
to win an argument.
- And I know better
than to argue with that.
- And this...
- [chuckles]
- this is Madzie.
This is my daughter.
- Hi, Madzie. I'm Jennifer,
- and this is Simon.
- Hi.
- Hi.
- I'm gonna go check it out.
- Where are you going?
- I was just thinking
that I would go check out
the projection booth.
- Can I come?
- Sure.
Let's go on an adventure.
Come on.
- So my parents said
that you are working
on some repairs around here.
I never saw you
as a contractor type.
- Well, I am indeed
full of surprises.
- Yeah, you are.
And you're a city councilman.
- Yeah. See? Surprise.
- Yeah.
- Ah, Madzie and I
moved back here a few years ago,
and now I'm the head
of the Hazelwood
Historic Preservation Board.
- That's a mouthful.
- [laughs] It is.
I mean, but seriously,
what has more history
than the Madison theater, right?
- Yeah.
[plays notes]
Dave and I were
working out plans
to bolster the integrity
of the place when...
- Right.
- Yeah.
- And how much integrity
does the place need?
- Uh, you know what?
It's in pretty decent shape
- actually.
- Really?
- I just...Yeah, it's...
- [laughs] See?
- Oops.
- Just needs a little love.
I just want to make sure whoever
buys it keeps all these details.
I mean, you don't see a lot
of old movie theaters
like this anymore.
- Yeah, exactly. I mean,
I can't imagine somebody
getting rid of this piano
or these seats
or these gorgeous curtains.
Do you know
that my great-grandmother
made these curtains?
- Seriously?
- Yes.
- See, exactly.
What is Christmas
without movies
at the Madison, right?
So my thought is we'll just try
to repair as much as we can,
and hopefully the new buyer will
want to keep things that way.
- You know, I remember you
being a lot more difficult.
- Honestly? Same.
- Hmm.
- Hmm.
So I hear you're a big deal
in the restaurant world now.
- Oh, who said that?
- Meg.
We're in the same
dodgeball league.
- Yeah, well, we do.
We have a restaurant,
and we serve fairly decent food.
- Do you?
- Yeah.
- I'm not surprised.
- Dad!
Simon knows a lot
about how projectors works.
- Is that right?
- What can I say?
Old movies are the best movies.
- They are. So listen. We just
came to drop a few things off,
but I have a meeting
with a possible buyer
at your parents' cafe, actually.
- Well, nothing says
high-powered, cutthroat
business deal
like muffins and cocoa.
- All the best business deals
start with baked goods.
- [laughs] Yes, they do.
- Also they...they keep an eye
on Madzie for me.
- Well, we were
just heading over there.
Who's in the mood
for hot chocolate?
- All right.
- Let's do it.
- Thanks.
MAN: Are you doing
the peppermint mocha this year?
- Oh, my gosh, yeah.
[entry bell rings]
- Hello, hello.
- Hey, there they are.
- [laughs]
- Hi.
- Hi, Pop.
- Hi.
- Oh, come here
and hug your mother.
Oh, honey, hi.
[gasps] Oh, my gosh!
Honey! I barely know you.
- You saw me at Thanksgiving.
- I see what I see, kid.
You are growing up.
- Merry Christmas, Pop.
- You know,
you do look more like your dad
each and every day.
- So, Madzie, hey, the usual?
- Yes, ma'am.
- Oh. Wow.
Simon, Madzie is working
on an entire town's full
of gingerbread houses.
- Oh!
- Just like your mom
- and Aunt Meg used to do.
- We did.
- Want to help?
- Yeah, of course.
- Okay, so you put
a little candy...
- With the snowman contest
and the Christmas tree lighting,
I don't know, this year
just got so much busier.
I'm not sure how.
- We went by the theater today.
How you holding up?
- Well, honey,
if I had known last Christmas
was the last
with your Uncle Dave,
I'd have, you know...I'd have...
Um, but I'm fine.
Just takes time.
- Yeah.
- Okay?
Selling the theater
is the right thing to do.
I just wish we had
one more Christmas.
[laughs] You know...
- Yeah.
- [chuckles]
- Get to work.
- All right.
- Let's make sure
we've got plenty.
- Stars?
- Yeah.
Oh, boy. You guys
have really
made some progress.
- I think Simon's eating
more than he's contributing.
- I'll bet.
Hey, Barb. How'd it go?
- That was Steve Crosby
from StarMark Cinemas.
- Wait. StarMark,
the chain of theaters?
- Yes, but I told him
he's gonna have to adhere...
- It can't be a chain.
They're gonna take out all of...
- No, no, no.
Hold on. He did say
he would look into
preserving the theater.
- Yeah, and I'll make sure
the town council
stays on top of him.
He's got to honor...
- They're not gonna honor that.
- Let's just wait until
we have more information.
- My favorite part of Christmas
used to be the Christmas
cartoons at the Madison.
- My Uncle Dave used to let me
pick out those cartoons.
- Eric...
how hard would it be
to do one more movie night?
- Uh, what do you mean?
- Well, you know, like,
Christmas at the Madison?
Like just one more movie night,
just for the family?
Like, how hard would that be?
- Well, I mean, there's still
a lot of repairs to do.
- Yeah.
- I don't know if you'd be able
to get everything done in time.
- Okay, but...but...
theoretically
it would be possible
to have one more
Christmas movie night?
Ohh.
Let's get you open
one last time.
[sighs]
Oh.
- That was...Oh, it's so funny.
[laughs]
Would you wear that hat?
I love that.
Oh, look. Look.
- Ohh.
- Morning.
- Oh, good morning.
- Hi.
- Mwah!
- Ohh.
- Oh, no.
This picture of you
in the Christmas pageant.
- Oh, yeah. That hair.
You better be careful.
Awkward teen years
run in our family.
- Ohh. Hey,
you want some coffee?
- Yes, I'd love some, thanks.
- Wait. This is
Eric from yesterday.
- Yeah, mm-hmm.
- Why are you guys
dressed like that?
- Like we're running for office?
Debate tournaments.
- They were on the same team.
You never would have known it.
So much bickering.
- They would have
been unstoppable
if they worked together.
- Thank you. Here.
- What...
- Ooh.
- It's 12 days before Christmas,
and Meg said it'd be okay.
- Okay. [laughs]
Oh, my. Okay.
[sighs]
It's Dave's Christmas village.
- Yeah, it's a little
Scones and Sweets.
- Ohh!
- I know Dave liked
to put 'em out one at a time
leading up to Christmas.
- [inhales] It's perfect.
Thank you.
- You're welcome.
- [sighs] Ohh.
Right there.
[laughs]
- So what have you two got
planned for the rest of the day?
Uh, tonight is
the big snowman contest.
- Well, actually we were
planning on having one more...
- Scone. Scone.
We were gonna have...
- Here. Let's split it.
- What? You were going to...
- Mmm! Oh, that's so good.
[mouth full] Oh, yeah!
Mmm! Ohh! Mmm!
We should get dressed.
Thanks for the coffee.
Ahem!
I just don't want to get
Pop and Nan's hopes up.
I don't know
if it's gonna be possible.
I mean, it's been closed
for, what, six months?
- Yeah. So keep it a surprise.
- Yeah. Yeah, just until
we can take a closer look.
Thanks.
- Okay. Look, this one
is my favorite one of them all.
- So seats are in good shape.
We've already painted.
But the boiler's from the 1920s.
It was gonna
need replacing anyway,
so for now, the heat is...
- imaginary.
- [laughs]
- Popcorn machine needs fixing.
- And the projector's
a dinosaur, so...
- Great! We can work with that.
- We can work with this.
Come on, kiddo.
So there should be
a series of switches.
- Okay, so we got the lights,
the film, and the lens.
- Found the Christmas ornaments.
- [laughter]
- Yes, you did.
- Hmm.
- Oh. Oh!
- Hey!
- It works.
- Madz, come here.
- [gasps] Oh.
[electricity flickers]
- [sighs]
- Aw, no. The fuse blew.
- All right,
let's see what we can do.
- sh**t.
We can...Oh, I'm sorry.
- Pardon me. Whoop!
- Sorry.
- [laughs] My bad. Sorry.
- Ooh. Pardon me.
- Ohh! My bad.
- Oh, th...right there.
- Oh, yeah. Great, great.
- [gasps] You fixed it!
- Yeah.
Listen, I have to be honest.
If your family wants
to sell the theater,
having a movie night might...
I don't know,
might make buyers think you're
not serious about selling.
And then if Barb
needs to show the space
and your family's around...
- Barb is not gonna have
to show the space
while we're there
for one night with the family.
If she does,
we're just gonna clear out.
I really think
we can get this working.
It's just one night
of Christmas movies.
- I-I get why it would be great.
It's just I...
- And I can help.
I can fix things.
- Yeah, but can you
fix a projector?
- I can find someone
who fixes a projector.
What about Valerie Sanders?
Didn't she used to run it?
- Yeah, she teaches
at the high school now.
- But you can't just...
- That's perfect!
- I was in Girl Scouts with her.
- Oh.
- Yeah, yeah, yeah,
and she likes every single one
of the photos I post online.
She's totally gonna be onboard.
- Yeah, totally.
- Eric,
I really think, with your help,
we could do this.
- [sighs]
- Right?
- Nobody wins a debate
against Jennifer Swift.
- You're right. He's right.
- Whoops.
- All right. I'll see you
- back at Nan and Pop's.
- Okay.
[cell phone chimes]
Meg?
- I want to help your staff
throw a blowout party.
I want to win the food bank
that money so badly.
So I was thinking,
what if I didn't go back
to Hazelwood for Christmas?
What if I stayed here
for a couple of days and...
- I think that's really smart.
- You do?
- Yeah.
And Simon is...I don't know.
It's like he's
opening up or something.
Oh, and I have this idea.
I want to do one last night
of Christmas movies
at the Madison,
but I don't know. It's scary.
- Oh, Jen,
I think that's really smart.
- You do? Eric thinks it might
scare off potential buyers,
- but I'm not sure. I...
- Oh.
City Councilman Eric Baker.
Your high school debate crush,
Eric Baker.
- Shh! Meg.
- Oh, what?
Can he hear me over the phone?
- Stop. It wasn't a crush.
- It was...
- Oh, please.
I was there. I love this.
But wait.
You don't think Mom and Dad
are gonna be upset if I don't
come home for a couple of days?
- I think they'd be glad
you're trying something new.
- Oh, sister swap.
I love this.
- I do, too.
All right. Well, um...
I love you. Call me
if anything comes up, okay?
- I promise I will.
I love you, too.
- Bye.
She's never giving back my coat.
[overlapping chatter]
- Here.
- Oh. Ah, yeah.
POP: Hey, hand me that.
- Looks good.
[sighs] That is something.
- Ohh. Can't imagine
what it's gonna be like
when Madzie's that age.
- What they want most
is for you to leave 'em alone.
- It's that easy?
- Oh, no, no. It's t*rture.
You worry all the time, and
they never tell you anything,
and it's not
for the faint of heart.
- Tell you what, though.
Simon's been really kind
to Madzie.
You don't see
a lot of teenage boys
with that much patience
or heart.
- [sighs]
- All right, come on, guys.
Put your stick in the sleeve.
Okay, we'll try that.
Like that.
[lights clunk]
- Whoa h*!
- [applause]
Looks like your mom found
the switch to the marquee.
JENNIFER: Ohh.
Oh, it looks great.
- Oh, it looks so wonderful
with the lights on.
- [laughs] Okay, don't cry.
Don't cry.
I have some good news.
- What?
- Simon and I talked to Eric,
and we think that,
before we sell,
we can do one more,
for the family,
Christmas at the Madison.
- These are her happy tears.
- [laughs]
- Well, look at this.
- Hi!
- Are you reopening the Madison?
- Valerie, I was
actually gonna call you
to come and look
at our projector,
but yeah. Yeah, I think we're
gonna do one more movie night.
- Dave would love this.
- Yeah, he would.
- Christmas at the Madison.
- Yeah.
- We should invite
Rita and Joyce to come with us.
- No, no, no, that...
- Rita! Joyce!
- It was just for the family.
That's what she was trying...
- No, it's...
- No, everybody,
we were just saying
that it's only...
- Let's tell everybody.
- No, guys, it's not...
- Well, no, don't...
- No, it's...
- We're not even sure
it's gonna work.
- I...
- Yes!
- So it looks like
you may have just invited
the whole town.
[woman laughs]
- Yeah, that got away from me.
t]
JENNIFER: Well, it was supposed
to be just for the family,
but now that the whole town
is so excited to come,
I guess I gotta
throw a bigger event.
- If anyone can, it's you.
- Ohh.
- [sighs] You've been
through so much,
and you kept going.
- Oh, I just hope
things at the restaurant
aren't too much
for Meg to handle.
- [laughs] If I needed
to throw a party,
your sister
is the one I would call.
She's been running
our place forever.
I'm sure
you don't need to worry.
- Well, I need to worry
a little bit.
It's a big deal
for Umber and Sprig.
- You and your sister
take good care of each other.
- Yeah.
- Your mom and Dave
did that, too.
- Yeah.
- You know, we're really happy
you could make it in
earlier this year.
Made a difference.
- For me, too.
- Oh, wow. Hi.
[laughs] Hi.
- Eric and Madzie. Hi, guys.
- Is Simon here?
- Hey, let's go
find him together.
[Jennifer chuckles]
- Here we go.
- [sighs]
- Simon's fitting right in.
- Yeah.
[overlapping chatter]
- Even if I'm starting to feel
a little in over my head.
- How come?
- Well, now that
the whole town
is expecting a movie,
I guess I gotta figure out
how to get that boiler working.
- And the electric.
- Oh, gosh.
- I don't know why
that's been acting funny lately.
- All right, worst case,
there's no projector, no heat.
I know about five dance numbers
that Meg and I used to do.
I can teach you.
- Okay, no.
Look, I'm being serious.
I don't know how Steve Crosby
or any other buyer's
gonna take this.
- It's because
we have to let go of it
that I want to do this.
My mom needs it,
and really it's something
that Uncle Dave would love.
- Well, look, I'm just here
to make sure it's preserved,
so it might not be my place
to even have an opinion,
but I'm just...I'm not convinced
that throwing a big live event
is really the right thing
to be focused on right now.
- I think...
- NAN: Eric!
Hey, Jennifer, come here.
- [laughter]
NAN: Hey, guys.
- [laughs]
- Listen. Since Meg is
staying longer in the city,
would you and Madzie
like to join us
and help us
decorate our tree tonight?
- Oh, yeah.
- No, we don't want to intrude.
- Come on.
- I made so many cookies,
you'd be doing us a favor.
- Yeah. The more, the merrier.
- Hey, Madz, what do you
say to some cookies?
- Yeah!
- All right.
- You okay up there?
Don't slip or anything.
- Well, I mean, you're
the one holding the ladder.
Wait.
Are you holding the ladder?
- Yeah. Wait!
What's happening?!
- Are you okay?!
- [laughs]
- You're hilarious.
So you having fun?
- Um, yeah.
- It's different from the city.
- Yeah. But, I mean,
it's not different in a bad way.
I got to see the tubas
with Aunt Meg, and, uh,
now we get to go spend
some time with Nan and Pop,
so it's the best of everything.
- Yeah.
All right.
Ah, the marquee is up.
Valerie's gonna come look
at the projector, and, uh...
- I mean, it's still
a little cold in there, so...
- Right. Yeah, Eric and I
are gonna see
what we can do about that.
Come on. Come on. Come on.
[sighs] Whoo!
[panting]
[powers down]
- Ah. So how's that coming?
- Oh. Heh. Good.
Then bad.
- Then good. Then bad again.
- Huh.
- And there's a dark corner
over there and over there.
This basement is really big.
- Yeah. Yeah, it really is.
- [grunts]
- Yeah, whoever buys this place
is probably gonna, eh,
replace these lights
and...and replace this beast
with central heat.
- Well, until then, I am
just going to try my hardest.
- Okay.
- You know, when my, uh,
husband died, I took over
everything at the restaurant,
so that meant all the repairs,
everything,
so that's my rule now,
is that I have to try it first.
[chuckles] It's...
You offering?
- I'm offering, 'cause my rule
is to, uh, make myself useful.
- That is a...It's a good rule.
- Try to help out where I can.
- Yeah, thank you.
- [grunts] Madzie's really
excited to be helpful.
- Hmm.
- Yeah.
- You know, I try
to protect my time for her.
- You know?
- Yeah.
- Be available
for what's important.
- Ah, it's always
the challenge, isn't it?
- Yeah. [grunts]
- Come on. Help me out
with this, will you?
- Oh, yeah, sure.
- Just give it a push.
- Go ahead. [grunts]
- Okay, ready?
- [hissing]
- Ohh!
[both laugh]
- Hey, did we just fix
something together?
- I think we did.
- Hah!
- Wow. I gotta go.
- Um...
Um, I told my mom
that I would...Oops.
I slipped. She was...
- um, my mom.
- Yeah, I...Yeah, you...
- Okay.
- Your mom.
- Thanks.
- Yeah.
- So I know
it wasn't an easy decision
to sell the Madison,
but did you ever
consider keeping it?
- Oh, of course, but we
would never have been able
to run a movie theater
and a bakery.
- Hmm.
- And then Meg said
she wasn't interested.
And besides...
- Meg needs to spread her wings.
- Exactly.
- And you, well,
gosh, we never thought
- of asking you about...
- Oh, no, no, no.
I-I mean,
in another life, maybe.
It'd be a dream.
Simon and I would love it,
but, no, our lives are full.
Very full.
- Anyway, the money was...
- Overwhelming.
Upgrading those projectors?
- Uh, the heating.
- All of it.
- Yeah. And so Barb says that
she's got some great new photos,
and so hopefully
we'll have a buyer soon.
- A buyer that's not a chain.
- Mm.
[cell phone chimes]
[chimes]
- [chimes]
- You guys, it's Meg!
- Hey.
- Hi!
- Hi, everybody. I missed you.
Are you decorating the tree?
- We are.
- Yes.
- [chuckles] How are you?
- Um...
- Wait right there.
I'll be right back.
What's wrong? Are you okay?
- Did you know that Joe
doesn't know what mistletoe is?
- Did you know that Mom and Dad
put peppermint Schnapps
in their hot cocoa
all season long?
- Did you not know?
- All right, focus.
What's the matter?
- No, it's fine, really.
Everything,
it's all going so great,
and you have nothing
to worry about here.
Um, but I-I don't think
I'm gonna make it
to the Madison tomorrow night.
- Is there a problem?
Do you need me?
- No. No. I-I'm really
enjoying myself here.
I think it's probably
the first time
I've felt my grief lift
in a while.
- Ohh. I wish I could hug you.
Oh, of course. Stay there.
- Thank you.
Thanks for understanding.
- Yeah.
- Is everything
going okay there?
- Sort of. Um, I somehow...
managed to invite
the entire town
to Christmas at the Madison
tomorrow night.
But, I mean, it's gonna be fine,
right? Um, it's fine.
- Wow. No,
that doesn't sound fine.
That sounds like magic.
Oh, good luck.
Give everyone there
a really big kiss for me.
- Ohh! Gosh!
- Oh!
- Sorry. Are you okay?
- That was Meg. It's just Meg.
She's so great...
to have a sister like her.
- Yeah?
- Come in. Come in.
- [laughs]
- Yeah.
- Nice to see you.
["O Christmas Tree" playing]
- ♪ O Christmas tree,
O Christmas tree ♪
♪ Thy leaves are so unchanging
♪ O Christmas tree,
O Christmas tree ♪
♪ Thy candles shine...
JENNIFER: Every year,
we decorate the tree,
and then we stand back,
and we look at it,
and we try to figure out
what's missing.
- And then a few days later,
we all gather again,
and we exchange ornaments.
And sometimes we make them,
and sometimes we buy them,
but they remind us
of the year that has passed.
- So what's missing?
- Something homemade.
- Yes.
- I agree.
- Ohh!
- Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!
- You okay?
- I am so sorry.
I didn't see you there at all.
- It's all right.
There's water damage under here.
- Was it frozen?
Because I'm frozen.
We should have done
a better job with that heater.
- Yeah, we should have.
- You could put it
on the marquee.
- Just big "Bring coats."
- Maybe.
- It's cold, very cold.
But it's nice. It's nice.
Oh, it's so nice to see it
all lit up like this.
- Yeah, we are really excited
about showing
a movie here tonight.
- It's all anyone's
talking about in town.
- And you're sure we're
not in the way of any buyers?
- That's what I came
to talk to you about.
It's not so much
that there are buyers, plural.
It's just maybe
the one buyer, singular.
- And that is...
- Well, I've been talking
to Steve Crosby
from StarMark Cinemas,
and I really think
he's gonna be your best offer.
And by best offer...
I mean your only offer.
- That's a chain.
- Well, Steve did say
he'd work with the town
to preserve as much
of the historic elements
as he could.
- I'll talk to your parents
about it,
but I really think it's the best
that you're gonna do.
- All right. Thank you, Barb.
- All right. Bye.
- Bye, Barb.
- Toodles.
[sighs] Okay.
Well, whatever's gonna happen
is gonna happen.
- Let's just put on
the best show we can tonight.
- Yes. We're gonna make it
a night for Hazelwood
to remember.
- This trip to California
is your mother's real present,
but, uh, I need to find
something to wrap. Heh.
She has wanted to tour those
Hollywood landmarks for years.
- Aw, who doesn't?
- [chuckles]
- Well, she's
gonna love the trip,
but what are
we looking for exactly?
- Well, we'll...
we'll know it when we see it.
- Okay.
- Now, you've been spending
some time with an old flame...
- Oh, no, no, no.
Dad, Dad, Eric and I
have only ever
been just friends.
We live in different worlds,
different responsibilities,
jobs, kids.
It's just way too complicated.
- If it wasn't complicated,
it wouldn't be interesting.
- [gasps]
Look what I found.
- Ah, there it is.
[both laugh]
- Just stay open to it.
The Madison
is famously romantic.
Your mom and I
had our first date there.
- Dad, you're gonna
have to let this one go.
- You and Charlie
were very devoted to each other.
But there's nothing wrong with
wanting another chance at love.
- Hey, Pop.
Look at the bow tie
that I found.
- Do they light up?
- They do.
- It's its best feature.
- Well, we would be fools
not to wear them
to the Madison tonight.
Go grab a few.
- All right.
- Come on. Let's wrap this up.
We sure about the bow tie?
- Rules of the season.
It's ridiculous and perfect.
- Okay. I guess we're ready.
- [sighs] Yeah.
Are you nervous?
- Oh, I'm so nervous.
I just...I want it
to be special, you know,
for Nan and Pop
and the town and you.
I want it to have
all of the Christmas glory
that it had when Uncle Dave
was there, you know?
- Oh, come on.
They're gonna love it.
And if they don't,
we'll love it.
This has been fun.
- It has, hasn't it?
[chuckles] Oh.
- Mwah!
- [camera clicks]
- Oh, my...
- Hah! Gotcha.
Whew!
Let's do it. Come on.
- Hey.
- Hi.
You look incredible.
- Excuse me.
- Thanks.
- Yeah?
- Jennifer, right?
- Yes.
- I'm sorry.
Uh, Jen, this is Steve Crosby,
the executive from StarMark
I was telling you about.
- Steve Crosby.
Nice to meet you.
- Nice to meet you.
- Well, please,
go find some seats,
and then maybe we can talk
after the movie?
- I would love that.
- Great.
- Ahh.
Oh, one last thing.
- Oh, please tell me
it's good news.
- It is in fact good news.
I talked to some of the
volunteers at the senior center,
and they got a bunch
of extra blankets for us.
- Oh, that's great!
It's gonna be so cozy with...
the extra blankets.
That's awesome.
Thank you, Eric.
- You're welcome.
[patrons chatting]
- [applause and cheering]
- There she is.
- Excuse me.
- What is it?
- Is that right?
[amplified]
Ah. Can you hear me?
- Yes!
- Yep!
- Thank you all
so much for coming.
- [applause]
- First of all,
I want to apologize.
We're so sorry
about the lack of heat.
But you know what?
It's a winter movie,
so it adds realism, right?
- [laughter]
- It is so wonderful
to see these seats full.
Can I ask how many of you
went on your first date
here at the Madison?
- Whoo!
- Whoo!
- And is there
anyone here tonight
that's on their first date
right now?
You are. All right.
[applause]
Good luck. [laughs]
Uncle Dave loved
that so many people
had their first dates
right here.
And it means the world
to me and my family
that you've come here
for one last Christmas with us.
And now, without further ado,
I would like to invite you
to enjoy this classic film
that was actually the only one
we could get to run
through the projector, so...
- [laughter]
- Thank you.
- Yeah, Jennifer!
- [cheering]
JENNIFER: I love you.
[projector whirring]
[classic movie music playing]
- [whispering] Nice job.
NARRATOR: When the reindeer
got back to the sleigh,
they were surprised
by what they found.
There was a young girl
sitting in the middle
of a giant pile of candy canes.
She couldn't have been
more than five years old,
but she was cute as a button.
- Oh! Oh, my gosh! Oh! Oh!
Get out! [screams]
- What happened?
- Your popcorn machine
caught fire.
Wow. That was a lot.
- [electricity crackles]
- [film slows]
[patrons groan]
- Folks, I'm sorry.
Uh, sorry.
It's really a mess up here.
The power's out.
And, um, the film snapped.
And I don't think I'm gonna
get this working again.
- Not tonight, anyway.
- [grumbling]
- Everybody just turn on
your flashlights.
- It's so dark in here.
- You okay?
- Yeah. I guess I just
wanted this to work out
more than I thought I did.
- Yeah.
- Jennifer,
disappointing evening.
- Well, I suppose so, but...
- Ah, yeah.
Don't worry about it.
StarMark Cinema will overhaul
the projection system,
and we'll replace
the popcorn machine.
- Thank you, Steve.
- Not a problem.
We'll hash all this out
before the new year.
StarMark is eager
to start renovations.
- We'll be in touch. Steve.
- I'm sorry, guys.
- [sirens blaring]
- The movie didn't work.
I'm pretty sure
half the townsfolk
are still frozen
in their seats, and...
[firetruck horn honks]
and the fire department
is arriving.
[horn honks]
- Honey, we all
need to let this place go.
Okay?
[brakes hiss]
Come on, babe.
- Yeah.
- All right, gentlemen...
- [firefighters chatting]
- [doors close]
- [sighs]
I don't want to let it go.
- I know.
- I think that I was
so excited for everybody else,
that I didn't realize
how much I wanted
one more Christmas
at the Madison.
Last night was...
not what I was hoping for.
- Honey, it's the thought
that counts.
- Whatever happens
with the theater will happen.
For now, let's...let's just enjoy
our Christmas together, hmm?
- [cell phone buzzing]
- Oh. Would you excuse me?
- That's Umber and Sprig.
- Mm-hmm.
- Victoria? Hi.
What?
[phone line rings]
MEG: Jennifer! Hi!
- Meg?
- So, um...
how was the Madison?
- It was 10 degrees inside.
And the projector broke.
Also there was a small fire.
And then
I got a call from Victoria,
my now former head chef,
who I'm happy for,
- but also what...
- Oh, yes.
Yes, Vic...
I was supposed to call you.
- You should have called, Meg.
- And I didn't.
I didn't call you, because...
Joe wouldn't let me.
- What? Are you kidding?
- [laughs] I'm kidding.
I'm totally kidding.
Of course I'm kidding.
He actually wanted to call you,
and I wouldn't let him
because of, um, the Madison.
- All right, let's just talk
about this when I get back.
For now,
just tell everybody that...
- You're coming back here?
- Well, yeah.
I have to help find a head chef,
and I have to check
on the Christmas party
and make sure the staff is okay
with everything
that's changing right now.
- Oh, no, you know what?
Joe has a lead on a chef,
and the lead is, uh...
uh, Jesse Collins.
- The grilled cheese guy?
- Yes,
with the Michelin asterisks.
Number signs.
I mean stars.
[laughs] They're little stars.
Anyway, he's the best.
So we're gonna, you know,
see what happens.
We got this.
So tell me, um,
more about the Madison.
- Well...[sighs]
The popcorn machine caught fire,
and then the projector
went out after five minutes
and k*lled the electric.
- Oh, no. That sounds...
- terrible.
- Terrible, yes.
- And a little bit funny?
- Look, you know what?
Even so, I loved it.
[laughs] And Simon loved it.
But the only buyer
that Mom and Dad can find
is StarMark Cinemas.
It's gonna be so hard
to let that theater go.
- Oh, well, maybe you should
stay there a little bit longer,
you know, while you can.
'Cause we've totally
got this handled here,
like 100%.
- Okay, but the second
anything else goes wrong,
you have got to call me.
- Of course. Obviously.
[laughs]
I love you.
- I love you, too.
[snorts] Bye.
- You're doing a good thing,
Jennifer,
giving Meg a chance to be away,
heal a little.
- Mm, thank you.
- And I wasn't eavesdropping.
- [chuckles]
- But also
you weren't whispering.
- True. [sighs]
- Maybe she's giving you
the same chance,
helping you be here.
Maybe this time can be...
healing for you, too,
if you let it.
- Yeah.
- Hey.
- Hey. What, are you just, uh,
walking through town
with a ladder?
- Your mom asked
if I'd swing by
and help hang some garland,
replace some bulbs.
- Oh.
- You know, if I could,
I'd freeze Hazelwood in time
just like it is right now.
- I would, too.
Except you know what I'd do?
I would build a kitchen
in that gigantic basement,
you know, so you could
see a movie and have dinner,
maybe even a glass of wine.
- Ah, town's never had
anything like that before.
- No, it'd be
everything that I love
about the Madison
and the restaurant,
and I'd be home,
closer to Mom and Dad.
- So you still think
of Hazelwood as home?
- Yeah, I guess I do,
even after all these years
in Salt Lake.
- Well, you know, you,
uh, might need some help
getting the permits
through town council.
- I know a guy.
- No.
I already have
a business to run,
and my head chef is leaving.
Opening a kitchen
in a movie theater
on top of the theater upgrades,
that's...
- That's an ambitious plan.
Be hard to do it alone.
- Yeah. And besides,
Simon and I have a whole life
we have to get back to soon.
- Yeah.
It's too bad.
This has been really fun.
Listen, would you and Simon
like to come over tonight?
Madzie and I
got these ornament kits,
- and we'd love it...
- We'd love to.
I mean, it's hard
to say no to Madzie.
- No.
Good.
- Thanks for helping.
- Sure. I'll see you later.
- Okay.
- [chuckles]
- Hey. How's it going in here?
- Well, um, I swept up
the burned popcorn.
Somebody came by to pick up
the blankets, and, uh,
oh, a nice old man stopped by
and had a lot to say
about the boilers and gaskets.
- [laughs]
Hazelwood loves to help.
- Everybody came
to help last night,
and they'd all come again
tonight if you wanted them to.
- You're right about that.
Clearly they want
one last Christmas here.
- Clearly. [laughs]
[camera clicks]
- Good?
Whew.
So we're agreed?
We're gonna open one last time.
- Yeah. Our Christmas present
to the town. Heh.
["This Christmas" playing]
- Whoa.
- They're here!
- Whoa, whoa, whoa.
- Finally!
- Wow.
- ♪ There's a log on the fire ♪
- Or you can trade it with me.
- ♪ Star high on the tree
♪ A candle in the window
♪ And it burns like you for me
♪ The chorus
singing "Silent Night" ♪
♪ Like angels at my door
♪ I'll kiss my baby slowly ♪
♪ Like a snowflake
hits the floor ♪
♪ We got some lovin' to do ♪
♪ This Christmas...
- So word on the street
is that there's
a cryptic Christmas message
on the Madison marquee.
- And I was hoping
you could help.
- Oh, were you?
- Yeah, because I realized
that I take on
more than I can handle,
and you seem to...
- Really enjoy
making myself useful.
- Yeah.
- You know,
I meet the best people that way.
- You do?
- I do.
- I'll take that as a yes.
- I didn't say yes.
- [laughs]
- But I'll do it.
- Really?
- Yeah.
- Thank you.
- [laughs]
- [laughs]
- Make sure you add
just a little more sugar.
- Okay, got it.
By the way, I tried
every single one of the keys,
and not one of them
unlocked the crying room.
- Did you try
above the door frame?
- No.
- Dave's habit.
[laughs] It took us forever
to find all the keys.
- Okay.
- [laughs]
- Christmas cheer
in cookie-dough form.
You run a solid operation.
- [laughs]
Well, you know the drill.
We have to have enough
for the Christmas tree lighting
tomorrow night.
- Well, it smells amazing.
Makes me wish we'd come home
for Christmas sooner
- all these years.
- Mm-hmm.
- Well, it's never too late.
I mean,
that's the best part
about a Christmas tradition.
There's always next year, too.
- Yes, there is.
- Oh, guys, I have to got
to get these over to the church.
Do you two want to join me?
- Yes.
- Yeah.
- All right,
let's wrap this up,
and then we'll head over.
- So do you bake cookies
for all of these
meal deliveries?
- Honey, we've been
donating cookies for years.
- Wow.
- Did you want to help
do some of the drop-offs?
- Yeah, sure.
- We...We usually do it in pairs.
Morning, Eric.
- I could use a partner.
- Oh. [laughs]
Yeah, great.
- Eric, hello.
[gasps] Oh, my goodness.
It's Jennifer Swift.
- It's good to see you again,
Mrs. Heller.
It's been so long.
What happened to your foot?
Are you okay?
- Oh, don't worry about me.
I'll be dancing up
a storm in no time.
- [both chuckle]
- And I've heard
you'll both be caroling again
this year.
- We will, yes.
Brought you this.
- Thank you.
- Can we help you with that?
- No, no. No, I got it.
- Okay. Bye.
- See you, Mary.
ERIC: I want
to show you something.
- Okay.
[sighs] The old sledding hill.
I used to come here
all the time.
- Yeah? I still do.
- Really?
- Yeah.
It's a great place to sit
- and just think things through.
- Yeah.
- It's where I decided
to run for city council.
- Really?
- Yeah.
It's where I compose
all my best arguments
for preserving the history
of the buildings downtown.
You know, I would absolutely
take Madzie
to a movie-theater restaurant.
- Hmm. Even without
crunching the numbers,
I know it's not really prac...
- What's this?
- I got some design skills.
- Oh. You sketched
my Madison kitchen?
- Yeah, well, you said
the basement would work,
and it occurred to me
it's a really good idea.
- Yeah, except for the part
where I fire up
a second business
and get so busy
I never see my kid.
- Mm, there's that.
- But...
[cell phone buzzing]
- Oh. Simon.
- On cue.
- Simon?
- [indistinct]
- Yeah?
- What? Wait. Wait. Wait.
Slow down. I can't...
Yeah. Of course.
Like, yeah,
I'll be right there.
- Bye.
- Um...[laughs]
Can you drop me off
at the theater?
- Yeah, of course.
Everything okay?
- Yeah, he said it's...
everything's fine,
nothing to be worried about,
but I have to to see it
to believe it.
So I'll see
you and Madzie later?
My mom wanted to invite you guys
to the ornament exchange.
- Yeah. Sounds great.
Wouldn't miss it.
I have a few things
I have to go over
with your parents
about the theater sale anyway.
- Right. Okay.
Hey, um, thank you for today.
That was fun.
- It was fun.
- I'll see you tonight.
- Okay.
- Guess what.
- What is going on?
So you know how
Nan and Pop, they told me
to check the door frame
for the keys, right?
So I checked. I found the keys.
And then when I opened the door.
- Whoa.
- Yeah.
- It's top of the line.
Ah, I'd been telling
your Uncle Dave for years
to get a new projector
for this place, and he did.
- All right, so if we're
gonna get the whole town
back in here for a movie,
how hard is it gonna be
to set all this...
- I won't know
until I get in there.
But do you know how long
I've wanted to play
with one of these things?
If you'd let me, I...
- I mean, I'd help.
I really wanna help.
- The theater kids geek out
over stuff like this.
We'd have helpers.
- Well, I think
we have to try, right?
- ...but you're
going to be giving this.
- Oh, Jennifer, hi.
- Hi.
- We're just about
to drop off the contracts
- for your parents to look over.
- Okay. Thanks.
- Looks like you're
giving movie night another try.
- Yeah. Well,
we can't promise heat,
but we just couldn't let it go.
- Well,
you're just in time, too,
'cause they're pushing to close
the sale by the end of the year.
- Okay.
- Now listen.
I know you had your hopes pinned
on preserving the place,
but usually when they buy
an old theater like this,
they do a complete renovation.
They wouldn't put preservation
in the contract.
I'm sorry. I-I really did try.
- I appreciate that, Steve.
Thank you.
Well, I hope you'll both
still join us for movie night.
- We wouldn't miss it
for the world, right?
- I'll be there.
- Bye.
- Thank you.
- You're welcome.
- [sighs]
- Listen up.
True to family custom,
this is how it works, okay?
You display your ornament,
and then you tell us
what significance it has,
and then you choose someone
to put it on the tree for you.
- All right. I'll go first.
- Okay.
- Yeah.
- [laughs]
Ah. Uh, my big brother Dave
wore this watch for years.
And since this is
my first Christmas without him,
I wanted to mark the time.
[laughs]
And so I had it
made into an ornament.
- Hmm.
- Um...
Simon.
Would you do the honors?
- Of course.
- [laughs]
POP: All right. Good job.
- Now it's my turn.
- Okay.
- My darling...
now that we have decided to take
the trip to California...
- Yay.
- [laughs]
- I got you this.
- Oh, honey.
- [laughs]
- [laughs]
- You do it.
- Really?
- Yes.
- Oh, I'm so excited.
I'm gonna...
Well, I think right there.
- Hey, you okay?
[Nan laughs]
- Sometimes Christmas is sad.
Your grandma misses her brother.
I miss my mom.
Yeah, I miss my dad, too,
more at Christmastime.
You know, he used to have
the loudest laugh in every room.
- I just know
she'd really like this.
- You know what?
I really miss my dad.
It helps me to just imagine
that he's right here with me.
- I do that, too.
- I think we all do.
- Because I enjoy
making myself useful,
I have a toolkit.
- [whoops]
- [laughs]
- Seemed appropriate.
And, Jen, since you're the one
I like to be useful for,
would you hang that, please?
- Sure. I'd love to.
Okay, gotta find the right spot.
- Let's see.
[chuckles]
- Here we go.
- Yeah.
- It's perfect.
- All right. Yeah.
- So that's it?
- Another couple adjustments,
but then yeah.
Pretty much.
- [laughter]
- Well, it's...
DAVE: Oh, this is fantastic.
- [piano playing]
- Unbelievable.
- What?
DAVE: Come on.
You guys are amazing.
You move so well together.
[piano playing on film]
DAVE: See? I told you.
That's what I'm talking about.
Yes. Yes.
Yeah, timing.
- I mean,
it looks focused to me.
VALERIE:
Is it bright enough to...
Oh, hello down there.
What do you think?
- What is this?
- Uncle Dave got these
old family movies digitized,
so I found 'em
on an old hard drive.
- [squeals]
- Whoa!
- [laughs]
- The joke about the chopsticks?
That's a good one, isn't it?
- Come on back, kids.
Those two will let us know
if it goes sideways.
- Hey, hey, look. Here's, uh...
- Oh.
- One of our...one of our quilts.
- There we go.
- That's good.
- DAVE: Oh, you got me.
- ERIC: Better?
- Oh, I'm so excited
to get everybody back in here.
- Yeah. I had my first kiss
right over there.
- Did you, really?
- Yeah.
During a showing
of, uh, Scrooged.
- [laughs] Who was it?
- I'll tell if you will.
- Oh, please.
I never kissed anyone here.
My Uncle Dave
was always upstairs.
- Right.
- I didn't.
- Oh, whatever you say.
- I'm actually kind of jealous.
- Eh, don't be.
It was very awkward.
- [chuckles]
- Plus I had a crush
on another girl.
- Who?
- Y-You really...You didn't know?
- That was...
- Wow.
- So it was my first kiss
at the Madison.
[chuckles]
- I'm glad.
- Daddy!
- Hey.
Uh, Madzie, you're...
- Hi.
- Uh...
hey, kiddo.
- Uh, I'm gonna
go check the projector.
- Yeah. Eh...
hey, come here. [chuckles]
- You know, it's too bad
you don't live here.
We could use more boys
in the theater program.
- Yeah. Nah, I wish.
I really like it here.
But I guess we're going back
after Christmas.
- What are all these boxes?
- Dave's things,
photos from the entire history
of this place
and projects he would start
and then leave on that shelf
until he had time
to work on them.
- Hey, everybody.
Looks like you're all set.
- Projectorwise, anyway.
- Are you serious?
- Yeah.
- [sighs]
- You okay over here?
- Yeah. Just working on
a little figuring.
- Darling, we've got to get over
to Hazelwood Park.
Did you remember to pack the...
- My darling,
I have everything on the list
and then some.
- As per usual.
Kiss for luck?
Ohh. [laughs]
- You two...
- We keep each other going.
Naughty or nice list?
- No. Mm, pros and cons.
- Ah. Anything in particular?
- Future in general.
Maybe the Madison
can be a part of it?
- [sighs] Too?
- I don't know.
[lively music playing]
- ♪ Ah, ah, ah, ah
- ♪ Merry, merry Christmas...
- Are there any reindeer left?
- Yes, there are reindeer
and stars and sprinkles galore,
so have fun.
- ♪ Merry, merry Christmas...
- Hey.
- Hi.
- ♪ And a happy new year...
- Um, hey, I was wondering
if maybe you were, uh,
free for coffee
or something tomorrow?
- So we can finally talk about
what might or might not be...
- Happening between us.
- Yeah.
- I'm not sure...
- No, I'm not sure either,
- but yeah...
- Okay.
- I'm...So let's.
- Right.
- Excuse me, everybody.
It's time to gather round...
- To be continued tomorrow.
- Okay. Tomorrow.
- Hey, they're starting.
They're starting.
- Okay.
- Come on.
- Are you ready...
to light this Christmas tree?
- [cheering]
- We gonna...
- [crowd moans]
- [laughs]
- Look at my dad. He's so proud.
- Every year. He's a hit.
- All right, here...here we go.
- [cheering]
- Yeah!
- 1, 2, 3, 4!
[playing "Santa Claus
Is Coming to Town"]
- ♪ You better watch out
♪ You better not cry
♪ You better not pout
♪ I'm telling you why ♪
- ♪ Santa Claus
is coming to town ♪
- ♪ He's making a list ♪
♪ And checking it twice
♪ He's gonna find out
who's naughty or nice ♪
♪ Santa Claus
is coming to town ♪
♪ He sees you
when you're sleeping... ♪
- Oh, Meg, we're over here!
- Hi! Hey, Jen!
- And Joe? Wait a minute.
Wait. Who's running
the restaurant?
- Alex is in charge...
- We went to Fort Morgan...
- [both talking]
- Whoa. I can't...Wait.
One at a time. What's happening?
- Jesse Collins turned us down.
- Meg!
You said everything
was under control.
- It is.
It sounds worse than it is.
I-I promise.
We have a whole plan.
- Wait. So do you have any other
prospects for the chef position?
Are we promoting someone?
What are we doing?
- Um...
- Well...
no one's quite ready
to take it over,
but I have some ideas, so...
- What was I thinking?
I never should have left
for this long.
All right,
we're going back to the city.
We gotta figure this out.
- Okay,
but what about the theater?
- Well, you don't have to...
- Jen, we really...
we have it under control.
- Yes.
- We really do.
- I'm sorry, Meg,
but can you understand
how it doesn't seem
that way to me?
Excuse me one minute.
Simon, wait up. Wait.
- Okay, why do
we have to leave?
Like, does that mean that we
don't get to show the movie
- tomorrow or that...
- I don't know.
I mean, I hope so, but I
have to go back and check the...
- Okay, I heard what you and Pop
were talking about,
about staying,
about the theater.
- I didn't...I didn't want
to get your hopes up.
- Look, it'd make you happy.
And I know that you and Dad
put all this thought and effort
into the restaurant
and that it was your dream,
but all that I have seen it do
for the longest time
is stress you out.
- I don't think that's fair.
- You deserve to be happy.
And I feel like here,
you could be.
And I could be, too.
- [sighs]
[overlapping chatter]
- Hey, excuse me, everybody.
I just wanted to say thank you,
all of you.
Thanks for being
at this little rehearsal.
You know, every year,
the seniors who can't get out
as much as they used to,
they just love
that we bring them
this Christmas cheer every year,
so thanks...
thanks a lot.
Um, so just take a moment.
Finish your hot cocoa,
and, uh, and then
we'll get started.
Okay? All right.
Hey.
- Hi. [chuckles]
- I thought you were heading
back to the restaurant with Meg.
- Yeah, I am. Uh, we're...
Simon and I are about to go,
and Joe and Meg
are taking a different car,
but before I left,
I just wanted to say,
um...[laughs]
All this time that we've
been able to spend together
has made me feel like you're...
possible.
- I'm possible?
- [both laugh]
- That did not...
That didn't come out right.
Um...
What I mean is I haven't...
haven't felt like this
in a long time.
You know, whatever this is.
- Slightly confused
and fluttery, in a good way.
- Yes. [laughs]
I like you. I...
That's all. That's just...
That's what I wanted to say.
- It sounded better in my head.
- No...
And, what, I mean,
you're coming back,
what, like, tomorrow, right?
- Honestly, I don't know.
I'd have to see
when I get back there.
- Uh, oh.
Y-Yeah. Um, of course.
Um, yeah, we should...
we should probably talk
when, um...
you know, whenever you get back.
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
- Okay. Bye.
- Okay.
Simon, you ready?
You ready for the drive back?
We can talk in the car.
- Actually I was thinking
I was gonna stay here.
- Oh.
- I mean, we need somebody
to be here to make sure
that we're ready for the movie.
- [sighs] Look, Simon,
I understand,
- but I really think that we...
- No. Look, Mom,
I get that you're trying to
figure out what's next for us.
And, I mean, if we have
to go back to Salt Lake
and this is all
just a really good dream,
that's fine. I just...
I really want to do
this movie tomorrow.
- Okay.
All right, well, I'll just...
I'll turn around,
and I'll come right back as soon
as I get everything in order.
I love you.
- I love you, too.
JENNIFER: Thank you.
- You're welcome.
- [sighs] This place
really does look amazing.
- Your sister,
she's a force of nature.
- Isn't she?
[sighs] This whole drive back,
I just kept thinking
of all the things I left
for somebody else to do.
- Well, Joe and Meg
are a great team.
- Yeah.
- And wait 'til you see
the plans for the party.
Think you'll be impressed
with how we all pulled together.
- Thank you.
- [door opens]
- Jen!
Jen! We have a solution!
- You found a chef?
- We found a lead on a chef.
- Get your coat.
- Hey, all.
- Hi.
- Wait. You're...
You're Jennifer Swift.
- Y-Yeah. [laughs]
- Wow. Okay.
Uh, your article last year
in Great Salt about hospitality
and community building,
- like, that...
- Yeah?
- that is always what I've
believed restaurants could be.
- Wow. Well, thank you.
Thank you so much.
- That's...
- Of course.
- Um, we'll each have
one of everything, please.
- Amazing.
Um, you know what?
I'm gonna get you guys
my last three
red velvet doughnuts.
- Mmm.
- And you're in luck,
because they usually sell out.
- Wow. I like your confidence.
Those look amazing.
Well, we'll have to see, though,
because our dad
makes a mean red velvet...
- Well, anything.
- Anything. Yeah.
- [laughs]
One sec.
- Oh, wow!
- Mm-hmm.
- You know,
I would go here every day.
- It's good.
- Yeah.
- Joe, what do you think?
Does this wow you?
- I just worry, because he
works at a food stand.
You know, it's different
kind of volume.
- Mm-hmm.
- But...
it is very good.
- Mm-hmm.
- You know what?
We need someone immediately.
I say let's do it.
Let's make him an offer.
- Yeah?
- [laughs]
- This is a really good space.
- It is.
- [sighs]
- [both laugh]
- Yeah, I come here every year
- when the holidays get nutty.
- Mm-hmm.
- Simon loves it, too,
but he won't admit it.
This year, all he's into
is the Madison.
- So they're really gonna
turn it into a multiplex?
- Well, the only way
to preserve the history
is to keep it in the family.
- Hmm.
- Simon wants us
to move there and run it.
- Is that what you want, too?
- I don't see
how we could possibly do that.
I don't have the kind
of money that it would take.
- Well, why don't I take
the money that I was gonna use
- to go to France and give it...
- No. Nope. No way.
You save that money
for your next step.
- Whatever that is.
[blows lips] Well...
if this is the last Christmas
at the Madison,
I want to spend every
single minute celebrating it.
- You're gonna be there?
- Of course I'm gonna be there.
I wouldn't miss it.
I will even be on time.
- Oh, you won't,
but I appreciate the offer.
- [laughs]
[entry bell chimes]
- Hey.
- Hi, hi, hi.
- You're back.
- I am.
Turns out Meg had a solution
I never even would have
thought of on my own.
- Ah, well,
we know that feeling.
We're gonna miss her
when she goes off to France.
- Yeah.
- Sure won't be the same
- around here.
- Listen, Jennifer.
Steve delivered the paperwork
for the Madison today.
We're supposed to close the sale
before New Year's.
- Oh. But I thought
with everything that we've done
- and learned...
- I know. I know.
I'm sorry. But I
have spent so much time
letting the Madison go.
I'm just not really sure
my heart can take it.
- It's okay. We understand.
- Please don't think
that I'm not excited
about tomorrow night.
I-I really can't wait.
But after that,
I think we need to move on.
- ♪ Don we now
our g*y apparel... ♪
- Turned out Meg
had things mostly handled,
so we're just gonna watch
the movie tomorrow night,
have the best Christmas
that we can...
- And then you go home.
- Yeah.
But I mean, I can...
I can visit more.
We could try to make this work.
[chuckles]
- I think we'd just be setting
ourselves up for heartbreak.
- ♪ Silent night...
- You know,
sometimes you just...
have to be practical.
- ♪ All is calm...
- Right, yeah.
Yeah, I mean,
there's the distance
and the time that it would take.
- It's not just that.
- You know, even if
things were simpler, I...
I don't know that I'm ready.
- Oh.
[sighs]
JENNIFER: You excited
about tonight?
- Uh, yeah. I mean, we did
a good test with the projector.
Nan, Pop, and I made some
cupcakes for concessions, so...
I think we're ready.
- Good.
- Good morning.
- Hi.
- Hey.
Is it close enough to Christmas
that we can start
having cookies for breakfast?
- All in favor?
- [Nan and Pop laugh]
- There you go.
- What...
- Here you go.
- What is this?
- Open it.
- Ohh.
[gasps]
Simon.
- Wow.
- So...
found it
in the projection booth,
and I was thinking if we
couldn't have the actual thing,
that maybe we could give
this one some new life.
- You remind me of him,
you know, my brother.
He used to spend time
in every conversation
listening, waiting,
and then,
when you least expected it,
he would say or do
something so kind.
[chuckles]
- Why don't we put that
on the mantel?
- Now we'll have the whole
Christmas village together.
[laughs]
- [whispering] Nice work.
- You, too.
Now come on. Let's go shovel
the walkway to the theater.
- Wait a minute.
[sighs]
- Merry Christmas, Mom.
- Merry Christmas.
Wow. [laughs]
Looks like we're a little late.
- Oh, no. No, there's still
plenty shoveling left,
- you wanna join me.
- Sure.
Looks like you got it.
- Ohh!
- [giggles]
- Oh, no!
- Uh-oh.
- I'm coming for you!
- You better get him.
- No, no, no. No!
- My money's on her. Hah!
- Look up!
- Oh, no, no!
Whoa! That was close.
- Look, thanks for...
thanks for doing all this,
and, um,
you don't have to worry about...
- Can I clarify
something that I said?
- Sure.
SIMON: Whoa. [laughs]
- If things were different...
I'd be ready.
For you.
For us. [sighs]
I just...Madzie needs
stability right now.
I guess I do, too.
- Yeah.
I wish it were different, too.
[overlapping chatter]
- Hi! I'm so glad you made it.
Come in.
- This is a huge turnout.
- I think we did some good here.
Should we go in?
- Yeah.
- Oh, why, thank you,
young lady.
- Have fun.
- We will.
- Hi.
- Oh, you've done it.
- Hey.
- You really...
Oh, look at this place.
- Yeah, well,
it was mostly this guy.
- No one in this family
does anything by themselves.
- Hey!
- Hi!
- Nice bow tie.
- Thanks.
Rules of the season.
Also I heard
you fixed the mini-Madison.
- Yeah,
but there's still one more
Christmas piece missing
in the village.
- Oh, is it? 'Cause somebody
did some shopping recently,
and I think
maybe they helped out.
- [gasps] Oh, honey.
- "Salt Lake City."
- It's perfect. Thank you, Meg.
- I thought maybe
we would connect the two places.
- Oh, I am...Ohh!
- I love you. Merry Christmas.
- Hey, you guys
should get your seats.
- Send in the popcorn.
- See you in a sec.
[sighs]
[crowd murmuring]
- All right, I guess
we should probably...
- Yeah, I've got this, Mom.
- Really?
- ♪ Christmas is here again
[applause and cheering]
- ♪ Christmas is here again
- Whoo-hoo!
- Whoo, Whoo, Whoo!
- ♪ Everybody's home
for Christmas ♪
- So the Madison has always been
a big part of my family.
And even though the theater
will probably change,
it reminds me of Christmas
and how being in a place
or a holiday can make it better.
And so I...I made something.
It's about memories,
but it's also about
how it can take
a little courage to move on.
[cheers and applause]
[music playing]
- ♪ Got the boxes
out from the attic ♪
♪ Put the tree up in a room
♪ And unwrapped every ornament
♪ Covered in pages from
last year's Sunday Tribune ♪
♪ Just about everyone I know
♪ Reminds me of you
♪ These knickknacks
are flashbacks ♪
♪ Of yesteryears anew
♪ Oh, it's that time again ♪
♪ Full of memories
of loved ones ♪
♪ Family, and friends
♪ But this Christmas,
I know, won't compare ♪
♪ To back when you were here
♪ I guess
there's always last year ♪
- I'll be back.
- ♪ Guess there's
always last year ♪
- That's so cute.
- [cheering]
[music fades]
[classic film music playing]
[sleigh bells jingling in music]
[muffled music continues]
- [sighs]
I wish everything could stay
exactly the way it is right now.
- Hmm.
[yelps]
- [laughs]
- Just two sweet old ladies
sitting on a countertop.
- Emphasis on the old.
- True.
- All I need is you, me, and
a comfortable place to sit down.
- Mm. And snacks.
- [chuckles]
- Ah!
- Oh.
Yes.
- Here.
Yeah.
You ever been
down in the basement?
It's huge. It's big enough
to have a full-on
restaurant-sized kitchen.
- A movie theater restaurant's
a really good idea.
- I know.
- Mm-hmm.
- It's an expensive idea, but...
I wanna do it. I should do it.
- You should. I would help you.
- Well, you can't. You're...
you gotta go do
whatever's next for you,
that next big thing
in France or...
- I canceled my flight.
- What?
- [laughs]
I love Salt Lake.
Whatever's next for me,
I think it's there.
I mean, if I could keep
working for you for a bit...
- Well, truth be told,
we should probably just...
- go into business together.
- Go into business together.
- Wait. So that would mean we...
- Pool our resources while we...
- Run the restaurant together.
- You build the kitchen.
- And keep the Madison
in the family.
- And we build
whatever's next...
- together.
- Together.
[gasps]
- Ohh.
- [chuckles]
- But wait, wait, wait. We're
getting ahead of ourselves.
We need to run it by Mom first.
- Well, I think our odds
are pretty good.
[crowd cheering]
- [gasps]
Councilman. Hello.
- Queen of dodgeball.
- [both laugh]
- Mom.
- Hey, thank you so much
for your help with everything.
- I had such a great time
working on this with you.
- Me, too.
- Guys, that went great.
- Yeah, it did.
- I loved that movie.
Everyone said
exactly what they meant.
[laughter]
- It was just like old times
in that theater.
- Yeah.
- [laughs]
- Jennifer,
gotta hand it to you.
The way the people
came out tonight,
it's good to know that once
we take ownership, we'll have...
NAN: Actually, Steve, we, uh...
- I think the deal is off.
- What?
- The girls have decided
to run the theater together.
- Are you sure?
- Mm-hmm.
- We are.
- Well...
merry Christmas, Swifts.
- And merry Christmas to you.
- Merry Christmas.
- So we're staying?
- [laughs]
- We're staying.
POP: Come on, everybody.
We have got the best
red velvet everything,
- and it's on the house.
- [laughs]
- See you outside?
- Yeah.
- [whispering] He's very cute.
[normal]
I'll see you in the city.
- I can't wait to get started.
Oh, I love you.
- Love you. Come on.
- I'm so glad you guys came.
- Yeah.
- It was good, right?
Yeah, of course.
- Good night. Bye.
- Bye.
- Bye.
- Oh, it's freezing.
- I know.
- Oh. Bye.
- Bye.
- So...
- [laughs]
- So...
- So...
- [chuckles]
- You know, I've got
those, uh, kitchen designs.
- Do you?
- If you want 'em.
As long as they conform
to the original.
- It's very important that we
preserve the historic...
- Very, very, very important.
- Hmm. You sure you're ready
to build the kitchen with me?
- I'm on your team
if you're on mine.
- Everybody always said
we'd be unstoppable.
[music playing]
[sleigh bells jingling]
[instrumental playing]
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